[Chris Galloway]

Im looking to put together a guide of prices for different types of properties.

Im just looking at a starting guide price, as i have a few interested clients.

Rather than charge per hour, i wanted to charge per job - as new to this type of work i didn;t want to price right but take longer than necessary and cause more expense for the client through my lack of experience in this field. So i could price right and get the job done at my time, and learn to get it done quicker.

Would anyone be able to give rough guides as to what you charge

for example

studio flat (average size)
1 bedroomed flat

2 bed link property

1-5bed semi/detached properties.

I would really appreciate it!

[darrenbale]

TBH I wouldn't have a set price for size as it depends on the state of the place when they leave.

[Jewel Cleaning]

I was asked recently to put a list together for an estate agent who wanted to be able to give clients an idea of our prices; I said that it is very difficult to put a list together, as someone just said, all properties are soooo different, in design and in cleanliness!

However, as I don't quote an hourly rate, I put a list together, and sent it to them.  It is very vague though, with disclaimers all over the place saying that it is not a definitive price list.

I used two columns, one with property type, and a brief description of what needs cleaning, and in the column next to it, a price range, with low to high examples.

IE:
One bedroom flat: *Unfurnished* 1 small bathroom; light limescale marks to taps and shower screen. 1 reception room, hallway, kitchen; light clean throughout, oven and hob reasonably clean with light soiling to racks.  Some windows cleaned inside where necessary.

Cost: (Low - high) £30 - £55


Hope that is of some help, the prices are changed for this example, you'll need to add what you think is right.  Just think about the jobs you have done, and how long they take.  Then think about what you need to cover business expenses, plus what you want to take home.

Jay.

[Chris Galloway]

I was asked recently to put a list together for an estate agent who wanted to be able to give clients an idea of our prices; I said that it is very difficult to put a list together, as someone just said, all properties are soooo different, in design and in cleanliness!

However, as I don't quote an hourly rate, I put a list together, and sent it to them.  It is very vague though, with disclaimers all over the place saying that it is not a definitive price list.

I used two columns, one with property type, and a brief description of what needs cleaning, and in the column next to it, a price range, with low to high examples.

IE:
One bedroom flat: *Unfurnished* 1 small bathroom; light limescale marks to taps and shower screen. 1 reception room, hallway, kitchen; light clean throughout, oven and hob reasonably clean with light soiling to racks.  Some windows cleaned inside where necessary.

Cost: (Low - high) £30 - £55


Hope that is of some help, the prices are changed for this example, you'll need to add what you think is right.  Just think about the jobs you have done, and how long they take.  Then think about what you need to cover business expenses, plus what you want to take home.

Jay.

yeah thats pretty much what i require.. just basic starting prices..

studio flats from £40.00 etc for example (of course it all depends on the state of the place, the size and what is required)

Ive basically been asked what you had been asked..

[absolutecleaning]

Jay

Obviously you dont give them an hourly rate but you must have a rough idea yourself.

Based on our hourly rates that would mean cleaning a 1 bed flat from top to bottom in a max of about 2 and a half hours.  Sometimes a bathroom could take nearly that long.

Do you leave yourself room for manouvere or just hope they dont come up with one thats as bad as that.

We have been asked for prices in the past but have said that we prefer to look at each job (no matter how small) and then give a price.

Si

[suffolkclean]

We used to charge an hourly rate but have now changed to charging a price per room eg En-Suite without bath From £25 etc, etc. Find it easier to work out a price depending on what rooms are in the property and prices FROM means that if its really bad you can charge more.

[Jewel Cleaning]

Jay

Obviously you dont give them an hourly rate but you must have a rough idea yourself.

Based on our hourly rates that would mean cleaning a 1 bed flat from top to bottom in a max of about 2 and a half hours.  Sometimes a bathroom could take nearly that long.

Do you leave yourself room for manouvere or just hope they dont come up with one thats as bad as that.

We have been asked for prices in the past but have said that we prefer to look at each job (no matter how small) and then give a price.

Si

Hi,

The prices I posted in my example on here are purely illustrative.  I don't want to advertise what I charge.

I do charge a reasonable amount, and do the job properly.

When pricing a job, I have an hourly rate in mind.

Most of the estate agents I work for quickly learn how much I will charge, and trust me not to rip them off.

So, I get a job sheet through from the estate agent, I go and clean the property, and invoice them accordingly.  This saves me having to waste time pricing up work.

However, if anyone asks for an estimate, I will always try to see the job before hand.

So often someone says: "It's not too bad, just needs a dust round and hoover."

You get there and realise that it going to be a lot more involved than that!

[suffolkclean]

I'm finding pricing a really tricky thing. Had been charging an hourly rate (not enough)!! Now I have given letting agents a price guide per room which was OK when the whole place needed done and was in a bad way but if it does just need a quickie up to 2 hrs you can't justify charging for each room. I'm in the process of working out a chart for the size of property Light Clean, Deep Clean & Carpet Cleaning do you think this is the best way. The letting agents do need a price guide to work out costs at their end.

Advice please

[Chris Galloway]

I'm finding pricing a really tricky thing. Had been charging an hourly rate (not enough)!! Now I have given letting agents a price guide per room which was OK when the whole place needed done and was in a bad way but if it does just need a quickie up to 2 hrs you can't justify charging for each room. I'm in the process of working out a chart for the size of property Light Clean, Deep Clean & Carpet Cleaning do you think this is the best way. The letting agents do need a price guide to work out costs at their end.

Advice please

Thats exactly the type of thing ive been asked for. I would be really grateful if you could show me your starting prices to get an idea, of the market. Im only just starting out, and i dont want to be under charging from the start, to be breaking my balls to get it all done.... But also i dont want to charge per hour and have them paying for my inexperience! (not that i want them to know this of course!)

Obviously no one clean is going to be the same, they all need something different to be done be it just the amount of work required. So i believe that 'starting from' prices is a better way of pricing.

[Jewel Cleaning]

We used to charge an hourly rate but have now changed to charging a price per room eg En-Suite without bath From £25 etc, etc. Find it easier to work out a price depending on what rooms are in the property and prices FROM means that if its really bad you can charge more.

Yes a 'prices from' list is probably a good idea.

A difficult game to break into, because most estate agents already have a cleaner.

Don't let this deter though.  At first I lost jobs to their usual cleaner; I put a price in to clean property, his price was just a little higher than mine, and included all carpets!

I don't know how he survived, basically charging half what I did.

HOWEVER.. I have got loads of work coming in now from the estate agent because they have seen my standard of work, and found me to be honest and reliable.

[Chris Galloway]

We used to charge an hourly rate but have now changed to charging a price per room eg En-Suite without bath From £25 etc, etc. Find it easier to work out a price depending on what rooms are in the property and prices FROM means that if its really bad you can charge more.

Yes a 'prices from' list is probably a good idea.

A difficult game to break into, because most estate agents already have a cleaner.

Don't let this deter though.  At first I lost jobs to their usual cleaner; I put a price in to clean property, his price was just a little higher than mine, and included all carpets!

I don't know how he survived, basically charging half what I did.

HOWEVER.. I have got loads of work coming in now from the estate agent because they have seen my standard of work, and found me to be honest and reliable.

I know a letting agent, and i do some window cleaning work for him. I said i was starting to do EoT from 2009 - his eyes lit up! He has over 100 flats above his office on his books plus more about the city - so this could be a nice little earner! Also considering % discounts for block bookings - But i will also be looking to other letting agents and private landlords.

This side service is hopefully a new career for my missus.. im sick of hearing about her day dealing with morons on the phone with insurance claims!

[suffolkclean]

Hi Chris
I've been working on it all today, I'm going to price a standard clean throughout (light), deep clean including internal windows, carpet cleaning for studio flat,1/2/3 bed flat & 2/3/4/5 bed houses. Oven cleaning as extra.

[suffolkclean]

PS I think your 'misses' will enjoy her new career!

[kuiwik]

Price is not the most important thing for letting agents, your main objective is service thats second to none. great cleaning and quick service is the at the top of the list. they don't pay the bill the outgoing tenant or owner of the property pays.
they want an easy life so being the super helpfull, reliable and best cleaner ever the word gets around. you shoud be aiming for £200 minimum per day for your work.
good luck

[mk1]

Price is not the most important thing for letting agents, your main objective is service thats second to none. great cleaning and quick service is the at the top of the list. they don't pay the bill the outgoing tenant or owner of the property pays.
they want an easy life so being the super helpfull, reliable and best cleaner ever the word gets around. you shoud be aiming for £200 minimum per day for your work.
good luck

good post talking sense 
e.o.t cleans are not easy and never ever the same.....for us the only way is to veiw the property we never ever give any price lists out to any agents we work for and they understand this.

its a tough one but with time and experience you can make a good return for your efforts. its just some thing you learn as you go along. but if you employ staff then £12.00 to £15.00 an hour must be the ball park


e.o.t have got a lot tougher to price (if you want the work)because of the tennants deposit shceme the agent has to take the price you give them to the outgoing tennant...if the price is not agreed then thats when it gets tricky and the agent earns there money. and if you have over priced you  will not get the work.

we have done e.o.t cleans anywhere from £50.00 to £650.00 every property is different.

service and quality and on time are cricital. i dont think we will ever make a fortune out of them but can keep us ticking over very well.